Video: Cylon #6 Commentary, Part 6

In Part 6 of the Cylon #6 Video Commentary, I discuss how this guitar part was influenced by the playing of Alex Lifeson from Rush and Brazilian composer; Heitor Villa-Lobos.

If you missed the earlier videos, check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, & Part 5

If you like Cylon #6, check it out on the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Video: Cylon #6 Commentary, Part 5

In Part 5 of the Cylon #6 Video Commentary, I discuss:

• Avoiding standard open chords.
  
• Utilizing extended open chords like A9, F#min11, and D9 by employing the open B and E strings as a drone.

If you missed the earlier videos, check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, & Part 4

If you like Cylon #6, check it out on the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Video: Cylon #6 Commentary, Part 4

In part 4 of the Cylon #6 Video Commentary, I discuss:

• Finding the right key to fit my bass/baritone voice range.
• Settling on the Key of A major for Cylon #6.
• Demonstrating the basic chord progression of the Refrain section; which is:

A /E /F#min /E /A /E /F#min /E /D /A /F#min /E /D /A /F#min/ E /D

or for you music theory nerds:

I, V, vi, V, I, V, vi, V, IV, I, vi, V, IV, I, vi, V, IV

If you missed the earlier videos, check out Part 1, Part 2, & Part 3

If you like Cylon #6, check it out on the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Top 5: The National, Bear McCreary, & More!

The National

• I was a big fan of this Brooklyn based, indie-rock band's 2007 album Boxer. I finally got around to picking up another one of their albums from eMusic this past week. Alligator doesn't have the professional sheen of Boxer but its songwriting and instrumental arrangements are just as engaging.
  

Coven, Pitrelli, & O'Reilly

• This rockin' instrumental trio released one great CD in 1992. I had the cassette back in the day and just purchased the download from eMusic this week. It really holds up. If you are a fan of Joe Satriani and Steve Vai than this album is definitely worth checking out. Make sure you give a listen to "Monday"; an excellent, moving ballad. Oh, and Al Pitrelli has been the guitarist for The Trans-Siberian Orchestra since its inception. If you dig the shredding on "Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24", then you'll love this album.
  

John Mayer

• It's hard to get a handle on John Mayer. On every album that he puts out, there are at least four or five songs that are so good that you'd swear that they've been classic rock staples for years. "Perfectly Lonely", "Half of My Heart", and "Assassin" fit into this category. By the same token, there is also at least one dreadful ballad and he's made a bad habit of including an ill-conceived cover song on his last few albums. Cream's version of "Crossroads" is just completely out of place on an otherwise excellent album.

Julian Casablancas

• The Strokes have been one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the past decade. Interestingly enough, I've never gotten into their work but I've enjoyed the various members' solo albums including this one by lead singer Julian Casablancas.
  

Bear McCreary

• When reading Science Fiction, I usually like to listen to soundtrack music. Bear McCreary has become my favorite film/TV composer. His work on the Battlestar Galactica Season 4 soundtrack is astounding. Click here to see a cool video of Bear working with Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian on the recording of The Plan soundtrack.

What are you listening to today?

Dig Music? Enjoy Science Fiction & Fantasy? Check out the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Video: Cylon #6 Commentary, Part 3

In part 3 of the Cylon #6 Video Commentary, I discuss:

• Writing the verse lyrics.
• Writing with all Five Senses.
• Writing the pre-chorus.

If you missed the earlier videos, check out Part 1 & Part 2.

Let me know what you think of these in the comments or via Twitter. If you like em', I'll be sure to do more.

If you like Cylon #6, check it out on the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Video: Cylon #6 Commentary, Part 2

In part 2 of the Cylon #6 video commentary, I discuss:

• Getting hit in the head by the chorus melody.
• Binging on the Battlestar Galactica DVD's.
• How the finale was the only episode that I ever watched live on the SyFy channel.

If you missed it, check out Part 1 here and tune in to Sci-Fi songs tomorrow for part 3.

Let me know what you think of these in the comments or via Twitter. If you like em', I'll be sure to do more.

Check out the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Video: Cylon #6 Commentary, Part 1

I decided to do a "DVD extras" style commentary for the songs on my Sci-Fi Songs album, but instead of an audio commentary for video, I'm doing a video commentary for audio. Crazy, I know.

I recorded a 15 minute video where I talk about what went into writing Cylon #6. I've broken it up into 6 different bite-size parts that I will post to the blog over the next two weeks. Each video is 2 to 3 minutes long. After I've posted all six, I'll put out a 15 minute audio podcast, for those of you who would prefer to listen to it.

Let me know what you think of these in the comments or via Twitter. If you like em', I'll be sure to do more.

Check out the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Top 5: Steve Vai, Porcupine Tree, & More!

Porcupine Tree

• I was fortunate enough to catch Porcupine Tree during their opening spot on a Yes tour a few years back. Like the headliners of that show, Porcupine Tree are a progressive rock act, but a much younger and modern one. They've issued a steady stream of CD's since the early 90's that seem to get better with every release, including their new one.
  

Tegan & Sara

• This harmony singing, identical twin sister duo is in my Top 5 most played artists of the past five years. So Jealous and The Con have become perennial favorites of mine. Their new album Sainthood has just made its way onto my iPod.
  

Van Halen

• Yep, I'm still drinking the Van Halen Kool-Aid, but now I'm setting my sights on material performed by the original lineup, which leads to ...
  

David Lee Roth

• I wore out my cassette copies of DLR's first two solo albums years ago. These were a formative influence on my musicality mainly because of the astonishing guitar work of one of my favorite players. Which leads to ...
  

Steve Vai

• In addition to the aforementioned Roth, Vai's formidable guitar skills have been put into service for a group of artists ranging from Frank Zappa to Whitesnake. Since the 90's, he's focused his talents on his own, mostly instrumental, solo albums.
  

What are you listening to today?

Dig Music? Enjoy Science Fiction & Fantasy? Check out the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Blurbs from Brandon Sanderson, Kay Kenyon & More!

Since the start of the Sci-Fi Songs blog, I've had the extreme good fortune of receiving lots of positive feedback from quite a few well known Sci-Fi & Fantasy authors. I wrote a few songs based on the novels of Brandon Sanderson, Kay Kenyon, and Gregory Frost. Through various Sci-Fi blogs and social networks, these authors became aware of my work and were kind enough not only to link to these songs but to say some nice things about them as well.

When I released the Sci-Fi Songs CD last month, I asked them if I could use some of the nice things that they wrote about me as blurbs for the release. Being the awesome folks that they are, they agreed. Here is what they had to say:

"This is an artist to keep an eye on." -Brandon Sanderson, author of The Gathering Storm, Elantris, & The Mistborn Trilogy

"I am blown away." -Gregory Frost, author of Shadowbridge and Lord Tophet

"A nuanced and beautiful piece of music." -Kay Kenyon, author of Bright of the Sky

Pretty sweet, huh? Well, it doesn't stop there. Ken Denmead of Wired Magazine's Geek Dad podcast (who also has a book coming out soon) had this to say:

"A work of Coulton-ic genius. A thing of beauty." -Ken Denmead, Wired Magazine's GeekDad

I've put a lot of work into these songs over the past year and a half and to be recognized by such a talented group of people is really gratifying.

While you are here, be sure to check out the new Menu Bar. I think that it looks great and makes the site much easier to navigate. Special thanks to Mark of Walker of Worlds for putting it together for me!

Check out the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly, Elantris, Shadowbridge & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Top 5: Mastodon, Mute Math, Van Halen & More!

Mastodon

• This progressive metal band from Georgia seems to get an unusually high amount of praise from indie-rock magazines like Paste. Perhaps all of the hipster publications feel guilty about slagging most metal and progressive rock acts (Rush has never been on the cover of Rolling Stone!) and they collectively got together and decided to give Mastodon some love. Either way, their new album, Crack the Skye is brutal in its intensity and challenging in its use of odd meters and literary references.
  

Mute Math

• I fell in love with Mute Math's rendition of "The Transformers Theme" from the first movie. It certainly influenced my take on the song. I've been digging their electronically rocking new album, Armistice this week.

Van Halen

• It's been another Van Halen-rific week in the Anealio household. I've been cranking OU812 and the Right Here, Right Now live album. Which leads me to ...

Sammy Hagar

• My recent Van Halen obsession has led me to seek out all of the members splinter projects. "Give to Live" off of Hagar's I Never Said Goodbye album is just a brilliant piece of pop song craft. Which then leads to ...

Chickenfoot

• Chickenfoot is a supergroup consisting of Hagar, Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, and virtuoso guitarist Joe Satriani. I'm a massive Satriani fan but this record hasn't really grown on me yet.

What are you listening to today?

Dig Music? Enjoy Science Fiction & Fantasy? Check out the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby

Tor.com Review & CD Giveaway

I am just elated about the glowing review given to the Sci-Fi Songs album by Tor.com. If you haven't read it yet, go and do that right now.

Sci-Fi Songs album review at Tor.com

Equally exciting is the Sci-Fi Songs CD Giveaway going on right now at SF Signal. You have until Sunday, January 10th, so hurry over to the site and enter now!

Sci-Fi Songs CD Giveaway at SF Signal

And if you don't want to leave it to chance, you can get your own copy of the Sci-Fi Songs Album right now at CD Baby and iTunes.

Sci-Fi Songs Album

Available at:
CD Baby

Top 5 Musical Artists of the Week

Van Halen

• Over the course of the past few weeks, my interest in Van Halen has reached unhealthy levels. I re-purchased all of the Sammy Hagar-era albums and Netflixed both live DVD's ("Live Without a Net" is the better of the two). Quite a few classic songs were created over the course of four albums together. In addition to his trademark, flashy guitar solos, Edward Van Halen crafted a plethora of colorful keyboard and rhythm guitar parts.

John Mayer

• John Mayer catches a lot of guff for his rakish social behavior and a few sappy love ballads. While I can't defend mawkish duds like "Daughters" and "You're Body is a Wonderland", there is no denying that he is a bad mutha on the guitar. His albums are always beautifully produced and his new record is no exception.
  

Imogen Heap

• I've been a fan of Imogen Heap since Frou Frou's (her short lived duo with Guy Sigsworth) "Let Go" was used in Zach Braff's "Garden State". She is an excellent vocalist, instrumentalist, and electronic producer. Her new album might be her best.

Jonathan Coulton

• Ah, Jonathan Coulton, the man who I readily admit that I am modeling my career after. I've been really into his new live CD: "Best. Concert. Ever."
  

Bear McCreary

• The Battlestar Galactica score has been providing an excellent soundtrack for Alastair Reynolds' Sci-Fi Novel "Revelation Space".
  

What are you listening to today?

Dig Music? Enjoy Science Fiction & Fantasy? Check out the Sci-Fi Songs album:

Featuring songs inspired by: BSG, Star Wars, Firefly & more:

Available on:
CD Baby